Mar. 20, 2011

Written by

Linda Bowden

If you go:

WHAT: ďBloom: Dialogue and Solutions,Ē a screening of a documentary about Lake Champlain pollution and discussions of actions people can take to help clean the lake. ź

WHEN: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday. ź

WHERE: ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington. ź

MORE INFO: Seating is limited, so RSVPs are requested by calling 877-324-6386 ext. 100, or 864-1848 ext. 100. A suggested donation of $5 is accepted at the door; free for ECHO members.

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What might drive one to bring a controversial film to an institution that promotes stewardship for Lake Champlain?

As ECHOís lifelong learning coordinator and educator, Iím interested in ways to promote opportunities for adults to have a dialogue about science and lake issues. I attended the premiere of the film ďBloom: The Plight of Lake ChamplainĒ last year, and there was a guest in the audience who asked how she could get involved in making a difference for the lake. In a room of close to 400 people I didnít feel her question was answered adequately. Reflecting on this I wondered if a showing at ECHO would help.

I wanted to create an atmosphere where people would feel comfortable having their questions answered and leaving with solutions, thereby creating a way of getting people involved in the next step of stewardship. So now itís happening. This Monday, March 21 6:30- 8:30 p.m.night we will be hosting ďBloom: Dialogue and Solutions.Ē

To begin the evening at 6:45 p.m., there will be about 15 minutes of stories presented by folks touching upon the three areas of interest: agriculture, urban and homeowner solutions. Stories will be shared by Brian Trudell, who grew up on his parentsí 100-cow dairy farm in East Fairfield; Colin McCaffrey, director of Friends of the Winooski River, who will speak about membersí involvement; and Eric Wolinsky, president of the St. Albans Area Watershed Association. Following these solution-based stories will be the screening of the half hour documentary, filmed in Vermont and featuring many familiar faces within the Lake Champlain Basin community.

Following the film at 7:35 p.m., there will be three breakout groups with facilitators and experts in each. The purpose of these groupings is to have a sharing of conversation and ideas involving solutions for immediate actions by individuals:

• Agriculture: Farmers have made incredible strides in water-quality improvements with their farming techniques in recent years, and this evening will provide an arena for sharing solutions and actions.

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• Urban: Stormwater carries many unwanted pollutants from our rooftops, paved driveways, parking lots and roads. These pollutants eventually make it to our rivers, streams and finally to Lake Champlain. We will share some solutions that reduce these types of pollutants from the materials we use to the habits we have.

• Homeowners: There are things we can do in our everyday lives that can make an immediate difference in our water quality. This group will focus on actions as diverse as what we do with our kitty litter to the kinds of chemicals we put on our lawn and gardens.

The goal of the evening is to bring together regular folks, watershed experts and organizations who all will leave with a laundry list of immediate and doable actions.

At the end of the night, we hope attendees will feel empowered to make better choices and become better stewards of our environment. Weíre offering a relaxed atmosphere to mirror the successful Cafe Scientifique evenings and Meet the Scientist events held at ECHO several times a year, with attendees enjoying light hors díoeuvres with a cash bar. ź ź ź